La'el Collins reveals reasons for split with Cowboys ahead of Sunday's matchup

Ahead of Sunday’s matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals, Cincinnati’s offensive tackle La’el Collins opened up on his decision to join the Bengals. After six years with Dallas, Collins found a new home this offseason. And on Friday, he explained why.

“To be coached by a great offensive line coach (Frank Pollack) who also played the position. I got to the point in my career where I felt like I wasn’t getting the things I needed. Coming here, that was definitely the reason why,” said Collins, according to John Machota, Cowboys reporter for The Athletic.

Now with the Bengals, the former LSU Tiger has reunited with one of his former Cowboy coaches in Pollack. Pollack was Dallas’ assistant and offensive line coach from 2013 to 2017. He is currently Cinncinati’s offensive line coach and run game coordinator.

Heading into last season, Collins was the starting right tackle for the Cowboys. However, after being suspended five games, after Week 1, by the league for violating their substance abuse policy, he returned to a less than warm welcome. Collins found himself replaced by second-year player Terrence Steele instead of being placed back in the starting lineup. Cowboys coaches and front office officials insisted that the reason was because of the stellar play by Steele in Collins’s absence. The Former Tiger did not say much about Dallas’ decision, but it was rumored that this was the beginning of the end for Collins’s time in Dallas.

Ultimately the Cowboys attempted to trade Collins in the offseason; however, they could find no viable trading partner. Instead, Dallas had to go with their nuclear option and release him outright. Collins went on to sign a three-year deal with the Bengals shortly after being released. For Collins Sunday’s matchup is an opportunity to show his former team what they are missing out on with him now in Cincinnati.